University of New England

Wednesday's MLK program has been postponed to Thursday, Jan. 29th because of the winter storm. See below for details.

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22nd Annual
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
The Fierce Urgency of Now

“We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now.  This is not time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.  Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.”  - MLK, Jr.  

In 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Dr. King delivered his historic “I Have A Dream” speech.  It was a defining moment in the American Civil Rights Movement and a call to action to remind America of the “fierce urgency of Now.”

Forty-six years later, Barack Obama is inaugurated the first U.S. African-American President. While campaigning for office, he too reminded America of the “fierce urgency of now” and stated this is as a defining moment in our history.

As part of the 2009 annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, the University of New England will explore how far we have come as a democracy since MLK, Jr.’s life and legacy and where Dr. King’s “dream” stands today.  It is a time to celebrate, a time to reflect, a time for transformation, and a time for action. 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the MLK, Jr. Student Task Force with support from the Office of Citizenship/Service Learning.

For more information contact 207-602-2461 or dgaspar@une.edu.
      
Featured Speakers

Carlos Muñoz Jr., Ph.D., is professor emeritus in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. A leader in the founding of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Muñoz is one of the most distinguished scholar activists in the nation and has spoken extensively on social justice including ethnic and racial politics, multiculturalism, immigration, and affirmative action. He has been a strong advocate in the struggles for civil and human rights since he was a student activist in the 1960s. He was an organizer of various multiracial coalitions, including the Faculty for Human Rights in Central America, Faculty Against Apartheid in South Africa, and The Rainbow Coalition.  In 1988, he was a key advisor to the Jesse Jackson presidential campaign. More information on Dr. Muñoz ...

Ruby Nell Sales is a highly trained, experienced and deeply committed social activist, scholar, administrator, manager, and educator in the areas of Civil, Gender, and other Human Rights. She is the founder and director of SpiritHouse, an organization dedicated to building a just and non-violent world through the arts, spiritual reflection, and attention to public policy. SpritHouse has emerged as a cutting-edge and highly respected national voice on peace and justice issues.  It houses the Jonathan Daniels and Samuel Young Institute for Justice, which trains a new generation of activists.  Ms. Sales has preached around the country on race, class, gender, and reconciliation, and she has done ground-breaking work on community and nonviolence formation. Ms. Sales received a Masters of Divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she specialized in Feminist, African-American, and Liberation Theologies, with an emphasis on race, class, and gender issues. More information on Ruby Nell Sales ...

University Campus
Biddeford

UC Keynote: Carlos Muñoz Jr., Ph.D.
"From Dr. King to President Obama: A Call for an Authentic Multiracial Democracy"
Wednesday, Jan. 21    12:00 p.m.
Multipurpose Rooms, Campus Center

“Obama: MLK, Jr.’s “Dream” Realized or Not?”
MLK, Jr. Student Task Force Discusses Facebook Social Experiment
Wednesday, Jan. 21    8:00 p.m.
St. Francis Room, Library

Other University Campus events coordinated by the MLK, Jr. Student Task Force to be discussed at this presentation include:

• Campus “shout out boards” for community reflection and dialogue
• An interactive art project asking students to leave their mark to promote peace in our community
• A multimedia video presentation of social movements in American History from the Civil Rights Movement to the election of Barack Obama.

Westbrook College Campus
Portland

NAACP Interfaith Dialogue:  “The Fierce Urgency of Now”
Representatives from multiple faiths and school/community groups will lead an interactive discussion about the individual and collective role in influencing social change and justice.

Saturday, Jan. 10  6 p.m.
UNE Ludcke Auditorium, WCC

“Freedom Place Collection”
Gallery Discussion and Opening Reception.

Friday, Jan. 16
“The African American Tradition in Art” Gallery Discussion
4:00 p.m. Presentation by artist Robert Freeman and Collectors Stuart and Ambassador Julia Chang Block  
5:00 p.m.  Opening Reception
UNE Art Gallery, WCC 
More information on the "Freedom Place Collection

WCC Keynote:  Ruby Nell Sales 
“I Too Sing America” – The Arts as a Metaphor for Healing and Social Movement
Rescheduled to Thursday, Jan. 29th - noon
Ludcke Auditorium, WCC

“The Songs Are Free”  - This program has been cancelled
(with Bill Moyers - 1991) is a captivating interview/songfest with Bernice Johnson Reagon, creator of the Sweet Honey in the Rock singing group. The film is a powerful introduction to the historical impact and usage of music in the Afro-American community. Excerpts from the film will be shown followed by facilitated discussion with Ruby Nell Sales.

Community Involvement

UNE “A Day On Not a Day Off”
By volunteering to serve, we honor Dr. King’s legacy of service to others.
Monday, Jan. 19

NAACP MLK, Jr. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Holiday Inn By the Bay, Portland

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Beloved Community Youth Program
Volunteer presented in association with the Maine Interfaith Youth Alliance

Children’s Program:  Ages 4-8
Community art project

Youth Program:  Ages 9-14
Program utilizing the book Something About America  with author Maria Testa

UNE student who wish to attend the NAACP MLK, Jr. Breakfast or to sign up to volunteer at the breakfast contact mmagat@une.edu or mgrove@une.edu  at (207) 602-2513. Transportation from the University Campus provided.